first time orchid, who do you think has the best deal?

17 years ago

HI, I would like to buy a orchid, the easy one, a phal.

Overall, who do you think is the best supplier? I've seen lots of suppliers recommended here but I've seen some have different prices, and some have different size pots (4 in or 6 inch).

If you had one choice, who would you buy from?

Thanks

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Comments (26)

richardol
17 years ago
I have mixed feelings on the answer. For you last question, my first and second choice are Santa Barbara Orchid Estates and Andy's Orchids.

On the other hand I wouldn't go to either of them for a hybrid Phal. I have a generally poor inpression of the health of plants at hardware and grocery stores, and DEFINITELY don't buy from a florist. On the other hand I have seen healthy plants at Trader Joes where they (at least in our local one) have a big orchid section and a good turnover so they have not been neglected as long. This might be a good source for a "training" orchid.

Your name suggests that you have garden experience. That is good news and bad news for growing orchids. Orchid "rules" such as re-potting during active growth make no sense to a gardener. Get the Ortho book and read the FAQ.

Welcome to orchid growing. It is adictive and exciting. Let us know what you decide and check in from time to time. And ask other advice.
highjack
17 years ago
Hi irish_rose_grower - nice to see you on this forum too. I'm relatively new to orchids too and have been very impressed with Orchids by Hauserman. Not only is the service excellent but the orchids I have gotten from them have been outstanding. I don't get upset if I get an order and I find a few rotten roots but the ones from Hauserman have had NO bad roots, excellent foliage and excellent packed plants. I haven't been as fortunate with a couple of other places.

I'm expecting another order this week from them and I know he has several phal's listed in spike. Good luck - you will find another addiction to feed.

Brooke
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cynthia_prescott_az
17 years ago
Carter & Holms has some nice Phal clones, mine was shipped in spike, but I have to admit that I think I have seen some of the same clones at Trader Joe's (price not that different, but saves shipping). BUT, those from Trader Joe's usually don't have tags, which you will appreciate when you get further into orchids. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ
Perfection_Is
17 years ago
i recommend trader joe's if you have one close by. they stock phal hybrids from worldwide orchids (aka grower ron), sometimes really nice hybrids and clones (e.g. Brother Sara Gold, Bright Peacock), and treat them better than the big boxes.
Judybird2014
17 years ago
Odom's Orchids ~ a fabulous place
Andy's.. love those orchids-on-a-stick
mehitabel
17 years ago
I agree Odom's is fabulous. You get really big plants from them, in spike if they're in season. (And phals are starting spikes now).

I also agree about Hausermann's. Hausermann's also has an "in bud/spike" section so you can be sure whether you are getting one in spike.

Either of those will get you great plants and great service.
audmer
17 years ago
I agree with the others about Trader Joes. They have great prices on Phals. and recently I've noticed that more of them have tags. I recently picked up a Phal. Baldan's Kaleidoscope 'Golden Treasure' AM/AOS with 2 spikes for 12.99 at Trader Joe's. I've never seen it anywhere else that cheap.

I've included a link to one of the main Phal. growers that supplies Trader Joe's. It helped me identify a couple of my Trader Joes NOIDs. You can find pictures of their Phals. under 'Varieties'.

Here is a link that might be useful: Altria Labs
tee530
17 years ago
Well, if you're willing to try a couple of easy ones, you can take a look at Cal-Orchid (www.calorchid.com); they have a section under "Products" called "Beginners & Under Lights" that gives pretty good deals if you buy 3 or 5 plants. I have found their service to be good and their plants to be large & healthy. (The Encyclia cochleata I got from them is taking over my windowsill; any bigger and I'll have to find the recipe for pan-fried cochleata pseudobulbs I saw once.)
newbiez8or
17 years ago
If you want species try Andy's Orchids. I've also had nice plants from Piping Rock. Plants I got from Hausermans had mealies :(
Plants I've got from Ecuagenera need definite recuperation treatment after their long trip up north.
whitecat8
17 years ago
Pine Ridge Orchids has some lovely hybrids, and all are $25 each, plus shipping. Ask about the size of the plants that are available - I got one that was in bloom and one that's maybe a year or so away from blooming, and it was good to know that in advance.

Customer service couldn't be better, and the plants were super healthy.

Note - Pine Ridge uses a potting material that's suitable for FL but dries way too quickly in MN. I almost waited too long to repot in sphag.

Whitecat8

Here is a link that might be useful: Pine Ridge Orchids
chippybug10
17 years ago
I would have to agree wtih the other people who suggested Hausermann's. I've ordered from them a couple times, both catts and phals. I think the plant you get for the price is great, and I've never had trouble with infested plants. Checking out the in spike/bud list is probably your best bet. They always have good service and the plants arrive in great condition. I've never purchased from Odom's myself, but I've only heard good stuff about them. They have a really great website, although that doesn't mean they have good plants and service.
AMYQofU
17 years ago
Hey, Audmer!
I saw that two spike Baldan's at MY local TJ, and when I returned for it, it had been nabbed!
Are you the lucky dog? This was the TJ in El Cerrito. I see you're in zone 9, so it's possible. Good score, and (s)he who hesitates doesn't get the worm. Or the orchid.
audmer
17 years ago
Hi Amyqofu,
I bought mine in San Diego. Gotta love Trader Joes though. Every once in a while they'll have a gem. One of my co-workers bought a Masdie at Trader Joes once.
spiced_ham
17 years ago
Hi Irish Rose,

Because you are asking about an easy to grow orchid I am assuming you are not looking for a particular hybrid, therefore you need the largest strongest most beautiful orchid you can get for the price.

Our Home Depots here on Long Island have some very nice orchids, especially Phals ($20-$25). There are usually some on the benches at all times but the really impressive shipments come in just before holidays so the next big batch will be the week before Thanksgiving, but maybe Halloween too!. I wouldn't bother buying one at the grocery stores around here....Do not buy one from any of the local garden stores like Hicks!

The online orchid venders carry specific hybrids, and you are either paying for a small young plant, or willing to pay a load of $ for a decent blooming plant plus shipping.
The online venders also sell the bulk of those same blooming Phals to retail stores in their area. So you will get the same plant for the same or lower price in the local store.

p.s. We only have one or maybe two Trader Joes on Long Island, and I don't remember the one I know of having orchids like the ones out west do. (I started my collection with plants from Los Angeles Trader Joes)
Perfection_Is
17 years ago
my local trader joes (in pa) almost always has orchids... phals, dends, oncidiums, paphs, ludisia, and cymbidiums, depending on the season.

i've seen some nice phals at whole foods in ny. they are bit pricier, relatively speaking, but some of them are still worth it imo.
cynthia_prescott_az
17 years ago
Buying from a Home Depot can be tricky. Most times the personel have no idea how to water an orchid. I either come in and find the Mitoniopsisis bone dry and has drooping flower spikes, or I come in to find a bevy of Phals soaking in a cement mixing trough. And also the next day. And the day after, at which point I blow my cool and remove all the plants form the water and let them drip all over while they drain. Good thing a salesman didn't come by at that moment, or I'd have bitten his head off. So, buying from a H D is OK if you are sure the plants just came in. Also, there is a H D in Phoenix where one of the managers is an avid orchid enthusist, and there are only well maintaned orchids at that H D. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ
leisurely
17 years ago
Check out these Hawaiian growers. I have ordered from each one and have found their plants to be of fine quality, exceptional size for the price and extremely well packed. I have never received a single plant that was disappointing.

Mauiorchids.com
Hawaiianorchidsource.com
Alohaorchids.com
margoinchicago
17 years ago
I would think you can find some great mail-order sources closer to you than Santa Barbara or even Hausermans. Try orchidmall.com and look at plant sources for your area; you'll save on postage and you might be able to go to the grower yourself and pick out your plant. Also get some free advice in the meantime.
I would also give Home Depot and those other places a look. Just be kind of nosy about the plant--is it sopping wet? sitting in a cold place? leaves soft? Don't buy.
Finally, do you know for sure that a phal will be an "easy one" for your conditions? If not you might want to explore someof the earlier threads on easy orchids.
whitecat8
17 years ago
If you consider ordering from Aloha Orchids, please do a search on this Forum for "Aloha" first.

Some members have had good service from them. Others have had strikingly bad experiences that have never been resolved and include Aloha staff never answering voice mails or e-mails. Other times, staff has claimed that it's normal for orchids to have mold on them and directed the customer to spray them w/ a fungal solution.

Their standing with the Hawaii Better Business Bureau is "unsatisfactory." They never responded to some of the complaints lodged. (They do business as Da Little Coffee Shack, LLC.)

Wishing you the best with your orchid, Whitecat8

Here is a link that might be useful: Aloha Orchids, Hawaii BBB
raybark
17 years ago
IRG - I'm kind of late jumping in, but let me ask you this: what makes you think that a phal is the best choice for your first orchid?

I'm not saying it isn't, but it might not be. Consider your growing conditions and watering habits before deciding.
chryss
17 years ago
Carter & Holmes is #1 in my book ! Never been disappointed with any of their orchids ! Dtps. Newberry Parfait 'Picotee' has beautiful, large blooms twice a year and is a vigorous grower, highly recommended !!
Chryss
christaylor
17 years ago
My wife and I ordered orchids from Houserman a year and a half ago and we were send orchids that were in very poor condition and not the sizes we ordered.Several were in such bad shape that we immediately contacted them and was told there was nothing they would do.We took all of the orchids putchased from them to the N.C.S.U Lab for testing due to the feat that they could be infected with a virus.I was contacted in a week and told that infact the orchids we delivered to them from Housermans orchids infacted tested positive for virus' and it was recomended that they all be distroyed.We had contacted them first by phone and informed them of the poor condition of the orchids they shipped us along with the fact that the 2 Angracieum Sesquipedial in spike was not shipped as ordered as was not the 3 Vanillia Planifolia or the 5 assorted Neofinetia's we had ordered.That was when we were told there was nothing they would do.After we recieved the information from the lab we contacted them again and again we were told that they were not going to do anything about refunding our money, replacing the plants and that they never shorted shipments therefore we could forget recieving the missing plants from them.We have been growing orchids in my family for 40 years and never had such a problem with a grower or fellow orchidist before and we have contacted them on several occasions since but no replies to our problem. So they have given me no choice but to let everyone know to Stay away!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris

Perhaps with the word getting our Housermans will start treating customers better. Returning their calls and emails would be one place to start!
jane__ny
17 years ago
Since you are in Long Island, I would keep an eye out at Home Depot for fresh shipments coming in. If you get them before they suffer neglect, you can get some beautiful orchids a lot cheaper than mailorder.
I've seen some in Cosco and Sam's Club. Maybe you can find out when they get a new shipment. Frankly, I was in the A&P last week when they brought in a shipment of Cymbidiums that were enormous with multiple spikes. They were $22.00 but they were in gallon containers. I'm not recommending them, but if you look around your local stores for fresh shipments with Phals, you will be happy.
reiddy99
16 years ago
Hello.
You should try Kawamoto orchid nursery from Honolulu,Hawaii. They have a great selection of orchids.They can ship orchids all over the U.S... Check out the web site www.kawamotoorchids.com
mrbreeze
16 years ago
Isn't Norman's orchids renowned for their large, blooming or spiking phals? I've never ordered from them but I'm pretty sure they have a great rep. for nice, big, healthy, and $$ phals.
-MB
carlstraub
16 years ago
It is now 9/9/2007 and ALOHA ORCHIDS is STILL up to their bad tricks. My order (about $200) was shipped 2 weeks late--then shipped on THURS. Night-against the policy on the web site.
Sure enough the order has been sitting in a UPS warehouse since noon Friday.
The owners fax machine is BUSY all day.
BEWARE of this place.
On a happier note I have recently purchased orchids from Mid Pacific Orchids, Kawamoto Orchids, SLOgardens.com, Gore Orchid Warehouse, angelstreet orchids They ALL were great. Helpful, good plants, ontime.
Carl

first time orchid, who do you think has the best deal?

Comments (26)

richardol

highjack

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